Momentum swings to Democrats (Financial Times)

[wookie294]

As President George W. Bush prepares to mark the first six months of his second term, there are new signs his difficulties at home and abroad are translating into gains for Democrats.

While much could change before the 2006 mid-term elections, observers say impressive fundraising, strength in public opinion polls and unusual party unity are good early indicators for Democrats. "The momentum is against the Republicans," said Vaughn Ververs, editor of The Hotline, an influential Washington newsletter.

<snip>

Democrats have pointed to ethics claims against Tom DeLay, the majority leader, to make the case Republicans have abused their power. The public seems to be noticing. By 45 per cent to 38 per cent, people say they would prefer the 2006 elections to yield a Congress with a Democratic majority, according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll. Democratic fundraising is keeping pace with that sentiment.

The Senate Democrats' campaign effort has out-raised Senate Republicans in the past three months. Democrats took in $13m (EU10.8m, EU7.4m) compared with $11m by Republicans. Republicans are feeling the effects of internal jockeying for advantage in the 2008 presidential contest, as potential candidates such as senators Bill Frist, Chuck Hagel, George Allen and John McCain stake out their turf. While potential Democratic candidates, including Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and John Edwards, are engaged in jockeying of their own, there are fewer signs it has disrupted the party.

more...

http://biz.yahoo.com/ft/050717/fto071720051741223246.html?.v=1

[gratuitous]

1. If there's a Democratic majority installed in 2006

There will be impeachment proceedings in 2007.

[BillZBubb]

7. I wish that were true, but the Democrats in Congress don't have

the cajones for impeachment. Too many DLC types.

[stepnw1f]

8. Sure...?

What a downer man!

Believe!!!

[tblue37]

25. The Dems are not the majority party in Congress,

so they cannot institute impeachment proceedings. The Republicans have to do that. If we end up with a Dem majority Congress in 2006, though, BsuhCo had better watch out.

[Catch22Dem]

40. I think you missed the point of the post

Which is IF a Dem majority is elected in 2006...

[tblue37]

44. Ahhh--Sorry.

But if a Dem majority gets in, they will do so partly by campaigning on cleaning out the WH and on Congressional corruption. They might be elected specifically for the purpose of impeaching the hell out of the Bushco bastards.

[Catch22Dem]

53. No problem

I like your scenario. Let's hope you're onto something there. :D

[6th Borough]

57. However, this story focuses on the SENATE. The House votes on articles of

impeachment.

[calimary]

50. Don't allow yourself to sink into that mentality.

Frankly, NONE OF US can afford that at the moment. We HAVE TO be united on this.

Visualize IMPEACHMENT. Yeah, I know, I know... it seems like an impossible dream. But not so long ago here, weren't we all lamenting that the Plame Affair had gained no traction and wasn't going anywhere and wasn't gonna produce anything except out-of-sight-out-of-mind? Weren't we afraid the White House Steno Pool was NEVER going to get uppity with this cabal? Weren't we fearful that there would just be nothing coming out of the investigation?

Well, so far, we who feared those things have been proven wrong.

If the momentum is with the Democrats, and they DO take back the House, at least, then it'll be up to us to remind them that this happened because this White House IS being found out, and exposed for the writhing mass of snakes it is, and that Dems regained power BECAUSE THEY FINALLY STOOD UP, and gave voters a reason to vote for them. It'll be up to us to hold their feet to the fire and remind them of what got them here. Because, by then, there will be MORE disenchanted voters, and independent voters suffering buyer's remorse. It's only gonna grow from here.

You just have to KEEP VISUALIZING IMPEACHMENT. KEEP REMINDING yourself and anyone else you might talk politics with - that "THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU VOTE REPUBLICAN." POISON THE WELL. Help the connections link up in people's minds - that the reason our country is perceived as going in the wrong direction and why we have all this corruption in government, and all this secrecy and abuse of power and obstruction of justice and lies and VERY possible perjury (and yes, those terms should be used, to plant the idea in people's subconscious) and wars based on lies and deceit and theft and skullduggery - ALL of that results when you vote republi-CON, when you trust the GOP.

Because they're proving they don't have the little guy's best interests at heart. And how'd that dollar-ninety-eight tax cut work for ya? How many more state and local taxes and fees are you finding you have to pay now since all those wonderful tax cuts went through? How're you doing for insurance? Is your family covered? How are your expenses keeping up with the bills? Like those gas prices? Like that carnage you keep hearing from the coverage of Iraq? You like how so many of our troops are dying? Ever seen bush or any of his friends go to any of these poor dead soldiers' funerals? Like that bullying encroachment into people's private lives that you're seeing a lot more of now? Didn't you just love what they did to Terri Schiavo, and how they're still trying to persecute her husband Michael - and how they won't let her poor soul rest in peace? Like that stuff? Like that budget deficit? Like how poorly we're regarded all over the world? What a rotten reputation we have now? I could go on. So could you.

DON'T GIVE UP HOPE!!!! If you do, you guarantee that the bad guys win.

[SquireJons]

55. I disagree completely.

Sure, many, if not most Democrats in Washington are dickless wonders (apologies to Nancy P, even though she's dickless too), but the fact remains that there are dead bodies all over the place and the Dems simply can't ignore them. Too many crimes have been committed to smooth them over in the name of 'the nations best interest.' This is not Watergate. Nobody died in Watergate. The nations democratic process was not seriously jeopardized in Watergate, at least not until the 'Saturday Night Massacre."

What has occurred under this administration is so threatening to our system of government that a Democratically controlled Congress will be compelled to act. If they regain control of even one house of Congress, there will be investigations, and the shear volume of crimes and lies will be too big to ignore.

[msatterwhite]

56. "Cojones" vs. "cajones"

Don't take this as a spelling flame, but rather as an FYI. The word you are (probably) looking for is "cojones." "Cajones" are drawers, the kind you find in in desks or filing cabinets.

It's a common error (and you wouldn't believe the awful things I said when I was first learning Spanish).

I hope you are wrong, also, but, alas, recent history bears out your assertion.

Best, MTS

[BillZBubb]

62. That's for the correction.

I'm sure the Democrats in congress have plenty of drawers. It's the spine and other parts they lack.

BTW, welcome to DU! (Was your first post really about Cojones?! That will be easy to remember).

[despairing optimist]

19. Last one to the gallows is a rotten dittohead!

[reprobate]

47. I volunteer to pull the lever!

[napi21]

24. ONLY if it's in the House! I feel really good about getting control of

the Senate, but I'm not as confident in the House! Impeachment Must begin in the HOUSE!

[cascadiance]

46. Emphasize in the 2006 campaign that the House is doubly important...

Since if the Democrats can retake the House in 2006, an impeachment of both Bush and Cheney could yield a Democrat taking over the presidency (with the speaker of the House - Nancy Pelosi probably) next in line. So if there really is a mandate to get Washington cleaned up, then the voters should know that getting Democrats in to replace Republicans (even if they are moderate) is important to reach this goal.

Will do my part to help get a Dem in to replace Cunningham here in San Diego. Shouldn't be hard to replace him as that's a given, but with a Dem is another question to be answered... If we can force him to resign before February, we might be able to sneak a Dem in right now with a special (no primary) election where we can all get behind a Dem here to get a plurality of the vote. Lots of Rethugs waiting in the wings to hopefully split such a vote should such a special election come up.

Need more of these kind of "oustings" in other parts of the country.

[UDenver20]

42. I wish....

... although that's probably a bit generous.

[rfranklin]

2. "Difficulties" is somewhat euphemistic, isn't it?

More like his "total fuckups," "incompetent blunderings," and "irredeemable asshole-ism."

I don't usually indulge in Freeperisms, but that just stuck in my craw.

[acmejack]

9. versatile incompetence!

nt

[acmavm]

3. And you know why? Because we've finally taken the offensive. And

because Howard Dean, John Conyers, Ted Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi (sometimes), and Barbara Boxer have demonstrated to other dems that we HAVE TO FIGHT BACK. We have to get in their faces and confront the republicans on the crimes and lies that apparently their party represents. I say that because if they back the bush** cabal, they back their crimes as well. We didn't have any press coverage, we didn't have anyone listening to us, and we didn't have a snowballs chance in Hell as long as we allowed the repukes to walk all over us.

Screw Tom Vilsak and the DLC. He's just panhandling for corporate money.

[marmar]

4. And they've got to be even more aggressive...

Dems still let Repugs get the lead on an issue and dictate the debate. Even social security, where the polling is against Bush by a landslide, is being debated on Repug terms - that there is a problem with social security when there really isn't one.

[Al-CIAda]

10. Yes Sir.

:thumbsup: :nuke: :thumbsup:

:patriot:

[dweller]

16. and Kucinich!

i just gotta mention Dennis...too.

dp

[Zorra]

34. Yeah. DK called the Iraq fiasco and e-voting mess perfectly.

He is not afraid to speak the truth or do the right thing even when it may make him unpopular.

[Iowa]

27. Vilsack is an asshole...

The Des Moines Register speculates that he'll make a run for prez in 2008. Some are speculating that he'll do that as a favor to Hillary (so she has a good excuse to avoid Iowa) in hopes of getting the VP slot or a cabinet position. I don't think Hillary has a snowball's chance, but that's the speculation being bantered about here. Vilsack is one damned poor excuse for a Democrat, so if he does run I hope the other candidates campaign here and thrash him. Better yet, the Dems should nix Iowa going first for the sake of the party.

[liberalla]

36. Don't forget Harry!

Senator Harry Reid!!!

he's been fightin' too!

[Straight Shooter]

5. Unusual party unity.

Party unity due to effective leadership. Thanks, Dr. Dean!

[merwin]

22. I was just going to say that!

Is it just a coincidence that the same month that Dean takes office, the Democrats begin their upswing?

[otohara]

6. There's Always One Swipe At Chairman Dean -

in the last paragraph...

One weak link may be the national Democratic party, under the new leadership of Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor and presidential candidate. After a few public stumbles, "Howard Dean is trying so hard not to be noticed, it's taking away a little bit from their message". said Chuck Todd, another Hotline editor. There are pitfalls ahead, including the coming debate over Mr Bush's first nomination to the Supreme Court. If, as expected, Mr Bush names a conservative to the court, Democrats must be careful about "the shrillness of their attacks", says Ed Rollins, political director in the Reagan White House. Both parties have high negative ratings, and such squabbling could weaken Democrats' standing.

[confludemocrat]

12. Yeah right, take Ed Rollins advice: lay down and get run over again

Got to give message that Iraq, Social Security privatization, Rovegate, Bolton and now the Supreme Court nomination(s) are of-a-piece, showing what an extremist collection of thugs Bush and his criminal gang are. And this asshole Rollins now tries to invoke the increasingly passé message that the defense of democracy itself "could weaken Democrats' standing". That's so Tom Daschel era-ish. Good try, Republican fuckwad Rollins.

[Cha]

20. Sounds like chuckie todd ...

doesn't know what the hell he's talking about. If he didn't have his head up the beltway assholes..he could see what's going on with The People whereever Dean goes.

Wonder what he got, from whom, for slipping that in there?

[TankLV]

33. But never mention that idiot LYING Mehlman.

Blatent, verifyable LIES that he's spewing, and everyone is oh so polite to present the "balanced" view.

Just like Fox had on ONLY REPUKES this morning!

Surprise, surprise!

[wli]

11. now we need to swing it harder

They tried to obliterate us with corruption, now we need to turn the law on them.

[Boomer]

13. Dem wins are unlikely

Too much of the voting machinery -- both equipment and systems and people -- is fixed.

No matter how well Dem candidates poll, many are going to lose. And media pundits will shake their head in puzzlement, then issue vacuous or shrill explanations for why the Democrats "just didn't get it right" this time around.

We've been getting it right since 2004, and probably since 2000, but our democratic process was dismantled right under our noses.

[Vincardog]

29. That is why we the people need to stand up and be counted. Vote and report

When the machines lie STAND UP AND SAY SO take it to the streets.
When they cheat we have to stand up and demand the truth be told.

[Robeson]

30. I agree. I don't know why some are still in denial....

...about this. Fixing elections have always been a major part of U.S. History. We're now watching it, in its latest form.

[joeunderdog]

38. ditto

Nothing matters if our votes don't count. Vote fraud is the NUMBER ONE issue.

[Al-CIAda]

54. You would think so, but no. Our 'leaders' are OUT TO LUNCH, or

paid off. After 2000, 2002, 2004, I refuse to believe they are this fucking retarded, so I am compelled to believe a more sinister motive.

[newswolf56]

14. Let us hope, pray, burn candles, conjure and invoke that this is a...

statistically valid trend, and not merely a glitch. Numbed as it is by bread and circuses, the American consciousness is depressingly slow to awaken, but now at last maybe people are starting to Pay Attention.

[wallwriter]

15. A halfway decent party opposing the Repukes

would have caused them to self-destruct under the weight of theri won corruption and evil by now. We really need to get our shit together.

[Cha]

21. It's much tougher when the

repukes own the media and the voting machines..but, I know what you're saying.

[Pystoff]

17. I wonder...

Wonder what the numbers on that poll would have been if it hadn't been the Wall Street Journal running the poll.

[Cha]

18. "vaughn ververs" is a self proclaimed

repub..I heard him on c-span..so I don't think he's saying this lightly..in fact he'd rather be spinning it some other way.

[AlGore-08.com]

23. 45% is not a lock - - until and unless it's well over 50%, it's too early

To believe that the voting will fall out that way.

[reprobate]

48. Another poll showed independants swinging 85-15 for dems,

so I think its even farther than this poll says. The people are waking up, and whenever that happens the party in power has problems.

[wisteria]

26. This is very good news! I hope we can keep up the momentum.n/t

[leesa]

28. It's all just a big football game to these people.

[Olney Blue]

31. We need to present a coherent strategy of smart alternatives,

inspiring ideas, and capable leaders. We can't just wait around for the lame duck to roast itself.

[Chicago Democrat]

32. Worst First Six Months Ever!

Worst president ever by far

[BrightKnight]

35. A Second Front

I am fully behind Dean and the grassroots empowering strategy. I certainly would not suggest changing that.

I do not believe that we are doing enough to capitalize on the current political climate. The key to taking back power will be providing a comfortable political home for the growing group of increasingly isolated moderates. The party should be focused on this objective and resources must be allocated to achieving it.

I am not suggesting that the party should abandon anything. I am suggesting that it is time to open a second front in this campaign.

Putting on my asbestos suit.

[Bossy Monkey]

37. What? We took over all the voting machine companies?

Note to FT: The momentum never left us; it was stolen from us. (Not that anybody on DU particularly needs to hear this, but still)

[rosesaylavee]

39. Taking the House back

Pat Buchanan said Friday that the Dems have a snow ball chance in taking the House back next year. If I remember correctly, we need to turn over 35 seats in the House to do so. Denny Hastert is my congressman - I plan to get fully behind his challenger (who I would have supported anyway fortunately).

Would recommend if you have a Republican as a rep, find out early who is running against him and actively participate in their campaign. There can never be enough volunteers.

I want to see impeachment hearings in 2007.

[Arugula Latte]

45. Welcome to DU!

:hi: :toast:

[rosesaylavee]

58. Thanks for the welcome

Love your state.

[stuckinlucky]

41. Sorry to be a pessimist, but...

Diebold + Gerrymandering = No way in hell.

[go west young man]

43. The election is still a year away. We need a paper trail or I fear

your prediction will be as true as last November. And all our gains will be for nothing.

[Tweed]

49. Well then why the hell am I'm doing anything in politics

Thanks for your message. I will now leave DU. It's hopeless.

[rosesaylavee]

59. Then why keep trying?

I don't think you really believe that... or you wouldn't be posting here on this site - you'd watching reality tv on faux instead.

Listen up - the right-wing hasn't taken over yet. There is too much work to do to indulge in negativity... it will just sap your spirit.

[UrbScotty]

51. Yep. DeLay and Santorum are goin' DOWN! (nt)

[Smirking_Chimp]

52. Its the machines-stupid!

Where I live we still have Sequoia vote flippers. How do I know my votes count? Here in Ocean Cty. NJ we are red and getting redder, because of the Sequoia's. Help!

[Peace Patriot]

60. Clearly, we have to do BOTH--fight like hell to turn the House and

Senate around, and fight like hell at the state/local level (the only place we CAN fight) to get the most transparent, verifiable elections possible in '06, and to closely monitor what happens in the vote counts.

It is one hell of load that we carry--trying to restore democracy in the U.S. of A. But that is what history has chosen for us, and we must rise to the challenge.

It is difficult to know the facts about the 2004 election, and not feel despair and hopelessness. This was an election in which we DID raise huge money in small donations and kept pace with the Bush Cartel money machine throughout the campaign, and in which the Dems blew the Repubs away in new voter registration, nearly 60/40, and in which the new voters, the Independent voters and the Nader voters all voted overwhelmingly for Kerry, and in which the Gore 2000 voters, still livid over 2000, got all their non-voting family members, co-workers and friends to register and vote THIS TIME, and in which the numbers just don't add up, no matter what way you look at them, and in which the exit polls said Kerry won, and in which the TV networks, acting in concert, CHANGED the exit poll data on everybody's TV screens on election night, "adjusting" the exit polls (Kerry won) to fit the official result from the Diebold and ES&S secret, proprietary programming code (Bush won), and in which, over the last year, Bush's approval rating was never enough to win re-election and has sunk like the Titanic from a dismal 49% on the very day of his inauguration to 40% today, and in which opinion poll after opinion poll shows huge disapproval by Americans of every major Bush policy, foreign and domestic, way up in the 60% to 70% range, starting way back BEFORE the invasion of Iraq, BEFORE all the lies were known, when FIFTY-EIGHT PERCENT OF AMERICANS opposed the war (I will never forget that poll, Feb. '03)...

--an election that broke our hearts

--an election in which democracy seemed to go down for the count.

It's very difficult, yes. But heartening in a way, too. Because the majority did reject Bush and his Cartel and tried their damnedest to throw them out.

We just have to walk up that mountain again. That's all. Keep faith. Help others keep faith. Do our best. And know that the majority of people in this great progressive country long for peace and justice, like most other people on earth, and they stood in ten hour lines to vote for it, they stood in the rain to vote for it, they came out in droves to vote for it, they tried, they tried hard, and they still don't know what went wrong. We have to hearten them. We have to speak the truth. We have to TELL THEM about the Bushite-controlled voting machines so they can help us fix it. And we have to help them try again.

[rosesaylavee]

61. right on

We have no other choice but to fight them. To sit back is to say they have won... they haven't yet. If they had, we wouldn't be communicating this way.

We have to keep each other going.

Good post.